Medicated tissue



April 1960 T. H. J. SPEROULEAS 2,933,431

MEDICATED TISSUE Filed March 28, 195'? FIG. 2

39 53 42 FIGS 44 3O 47 8 m 0 L T U O E R V E W P S J- H E R O D O E H TFIG. 7

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,933,431 MEDICATED Trssun Theodore H. J.Sperouleas, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application March 28, 1957, Serial No. 649,126

18 Claims. (Cl. 167-84) The herein disclosed invention relates tomedicated tissue and has for its object to provide tissues which may beapplied to the nose and which produces medicinal vapors for thealleviation of the distress occasioned by nasal, throat or bronchialailments.

An object of the invention resides in utilizing two chemicals which whenbrought together produce medicinal vapors.

Another object of the invention resides in utilizing the chemicals indry form and with which the tissue is impregnated.

A still further object of the invention resides in normally maintainingthe two chemicals separated so as to prevent reaction therebetween andin subsequently, when the tissue is desired for use, bringing thechemicals into contact to produce the desired vapors.

Another object of the invention resides in constructing the tissue withone or more sheets and in one case impregnating the sheets with the twodifferent chemicals at difierent localities such that folding orcrumpling of the sheet or sheets will bring the chemicals intojuxtaposition for reaction, and in another case in impregnating certainof the sheets with one chemical and other of the sheets with the otherchemical and in folding or otherwise maintaining the chemicals normallyseparated.

A feature of the invention resides in folding the sheets so that thechemicals are on opposite sides of the folds, in securing or placing theends of the sheets in juxtaposition so that tabs are formed which whenpulled apart bring the two chemicals into juxtaposition.

Another object of the invention resides in utilizing as the chemicals,camphor, thymol and menthol, and in us ing any two of these chemicalsfor the purpose.

Other objects of the invention reside in the novel combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterillustrated and/or described.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a developed view of a sheet of tissue impregnated with thechemicals and illustrating an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the tissue shown in Fig. l and partlyfolded to illustrate the manner in which the chemicals are normallymaintained separated.

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Fig. l of two sheets of tissue eachseparately impregnated with one of the chemicals.

. Fig. 5 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2 and showing the sheetspartly folded.

' Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the sheets further foldedto form inwardly facing tabs on the sheets.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing the sheets disposed with theimpregnated areas of the sheets in juxtaposition.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a sheet 10 oftissue has been shown. This tissue may be of any absorbent cellulosetype such as is now in common use and particularly in use ashandkerchiefs. For the. sake of simplicity, a single sheet of tissue hasbeen 2,933,431 Patented Apr. 19, 1966 we v shown, though it can readilybe comprehended that one or more additional overlying sheets may beemployed to increase the absorptive characteristics of the tissue and tohold more or less of the impregnation as desired. The sheet 10 is formedwith a center crease 11 and with quarter folds 12 and 13 situatedhalfway between the fold 11 and the edges 14 and 15 of the sheet. Thesefolds are preferably parallel to one another and to said edges. Inaddition, a transverse fold 16 may be employed for a purpose to bepresently described. By means of the folds 11, 12 and 13, the sheet 10is divided into inner quarter sections 17 and 18 and outer quartersections 19 and 20. Between the transverse edges 22 and 23 and the fold16 are formed areas 24 and 25 which occupy both of the sections 17 and19 straddling the fold 12. These areas are preferably situated midwaybetween the edge 22 and the fold 16 and between the edge 23 and saidfold. These areas are impregnated with a chemical to be presentlydescribed in detail. In a similar manner, in the sections 18 and 241 areformed areas 26 and 27 and which are impregnated with a differentchemical. These areas are preferably located midway between the edge 22and the fold 16 and between the edge 23 and said fold and straddle thefold 13 being formed partly in the section 18 and partly in the section20.

The sheet 10 is normally folded as shown in Fig. 2 with the section 19overlying the section 17 and with the section 29 overlying the section18. When so arranged, the areas 24 and 25 are remotely situated from theareas 26 and 27 and are thus kept out of contact with one another. Thesheets so formed may be packaged as folded or, if desired, the sheetsmay be folded along the fold 16 to decrease the size of the package. Insuch case, the areas 24 and 25 overlie one another and similarly theareas 26 and 2.7. However, the areas containing the two difierentchemicals are kept separated.

It has been found that any two of three groups of chemicals may be usedfor the purpose of the invention. The first group consists of camphorrepresented by the formula C H O NH and its homologues; the second groupconsists of thymol represented by the formula CH (C H-;)C H OH and itshomologues, and the third group consists of menthol represented by theformula C H OH and its homologues'. When one of the compounds of one ofthe groups is placed on the areas 24 and 25 and when one of thecompounds from one of the other groups is placed on the areas 26 and 27,in dry form, and the areas 24 and 26 brought together and likewise theareas 25 and 27 brought together, a reaction occurs between the twodiiferent chemicals and a medicinal vapor is emitted which is extremelyefiective in alleviating the distress occasioned by nasal, throat orbronchial ailments. The most effective of these compounds is camphor foruse as the first chemical, and menthol for use as the second chemical.

Menthol and thymol and their homologues have properties in common andmay be classified under the broad group of phenols and theircorresponding carbocyclic products of varying degrees of saturation.

The various chemicals used in the preparation of the tissues arenormally in solid form and are dissolved in some suitable solvent.Isopropyl alcohol is one such solvent which is highly satisfactory. Thesheets of tissue are then impregnated with this solution and causedtodry. This may be accomplished by the application of heat or the tissuesmay be left to dry solely by normal evaporation. The isopropyl alcoholevaporates very rapidly and only a short time is required in reducingthe chemical to a dry form. While isopropyl alcohol is entirelysatisfactory, other solvents may be employed such aswater. wherethechemicalis soluble in water. However, a greater length of time willbe required for reducing the chemicals to their dry form.

As previously stated, the impregnated tissues are packaged with the twochemicals remotely positioned. When desired for use, a tissue is removedfrom the pack and the same opened up flat. The tissue is then foldedalong the fold 11 bringing the area 24 in juxtaposition with the area 26and the area 25 in juxtaposition with the area 27. In an extremely shorttime the chemicals react to produce a liquid and which gives'off thedesired vapors. The tissue may be held up to the nose and vapors inhaledto effect the desired relief.

In Figs. 3 to 7, a. modification of the invention has been shown. InFigs. 3 and 4 two sheets 30 and 130 of tissue: have been shown, Again itwill be understood that several sheets may be arranged in overlyingposition, the single sheet having been shown merely to simplify thevillustration of the invention. The sheet 30 is formed With a center fold32 and a quarter fold 33 adjacent the edge 34- of the same. The oppositeedge of the sheet 30 is designated by the reference numeral 39. Atransverse fold 41, similar to the fold 16 in the other form of theinvention, is also provided. By means of this construction, the sheet 30is divided into a half section 42 and inner and outer quarter sections44 and 45.

The sheet 30 is provided with two areas 47 and 48 which are impregnatedwith one of the compounds of one of the groups of chemicals previouslylisted. These areas occupy both the. sections 44 and 45 straddling thefold 32 and beingsituated intermediate. the edges 51 and 52 of thesheetand the transverse fold 41.

The sheet 130 is constructed similarly to the sheet 30 and thedescription of the various parts will not be repeated. However, thevarious folds and sections will be indicated by the same referencenumerals preceded by the digit 1. It will be noted, however, that thefold 133 is disposed adjacent theedge 139, and that said fold lies totheleft of the foldl32 instead of to the right as is the case with sheet30. In this manner, the various sections of the sheet 130 are simplyreversed as compared to those of the sheet 30'. On the sheet 130, theareas 147 and 148 are located in the same manner as on the sheet 30 anddifferonly in that one of the compounds of one of the other groups isemployed instead of the chemical used for the areas 47 and 48.

In the manufacture of the tissue from the sheets 30 and 130, the sheets.are folded along the folds 32 and 33 and the folds 132. and 133. Thesheets are then assembled so that the edges 39 and 139 register with oneanother and similarly theedges 34 and 134. These edges are preferablysecured together by adhesive though the same may be unattached ifdesired. The parts then become arranged as shown in Fig. in which thefolds 33 and 133 lie adjacent one another and the folds 32 and 132 lieinspaced relation to one another. The tissue thus formed may, if desired,be packaged as illustrated or the same may be folded along the folds 41and 141 to reduce the size of the package. The attached portions of thesheets form tabs indicated by the reference numerals 53 and 54. In use,the tissue ismerely grasped by the tabs 53 and 54 and the same pulledoutwardly in a direction normal' to the plane of the folded sheets. Thiscauses the sheets to assume the position shown in Fig. 7 in which theareas 47 and 48 are brought into proximity to theareas 147' and 148. 7Reaction can now occur between the respective chemicals producingthe'desired vapor.

The tabs" 53 and 54, when disposed as shown in Fig. 5, may becomesomewhat diflicult to separate from the sections 44 and 144 of thesheets 30 and 130. To make the tabs readily accessible, the same may befolded over folds 36 and 135 and other folds 35 and 136 formed in thesheets tobring the tabs in the positionshown in Fig. 6. In thisposition,separation of the tabs from the folded pregnation of another chemical,said chemicals being of sheet may be readily accomplished and the foldedsheet unfolded to bring the chemicals into reactive position.

While the invention has been illustrated as utilizing the spacing of theareas on the tissues as a means for separating the same, it can readilybe comprehended that nonabsorbent spacers may be placed between theareas and the areas normally arranged in overlying position.

In such case, removal of the spacers will bring the chemicals intoreactive position. It will also be realized that different shapes andarrangements of the different areas may be utilized without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

The advantages of the invention are manifest. The tissues treated andconstructed in accordance with the invention are extremely convenient tocarry about and to maintain in the home and are readily available foruse when desired. After the reaction of the chemicals has ceased, thetissues may be used in the customary manner and discarded. With theinstant invention, no special apparatus is required for the productionof the desired vapors. The invention can be constructed at a nominalexpense and by machinery and equipment readily available for thepurpose.

Changes in the specific form of the invention, as-herein described, maybe made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to beprotected by Letters Patent is:

w ,l. A medicated flexible tissue including two parts each normallyseparated from one another and adapted to be brought together, one ofsaid parts having a dry impregnation 'of one chemical and the otherhaving a dry imsuch characteristics that when broughttogether in air amedical vapor is produced.

2. A medicated tissue including two parts each normally separated fromone another. and adapted to be brought together, one of said partshaving a dry impregnation of camphor and the other having a dryimpregnation of menthol.

.3. A medicated tissue including two rectangular sheets of substantiallythe same size each having a center fold and a quarter fold on one sideof said center fold to form a halfsection, an inner quarter section andan outer quartersection, a portion of the area at the center fold of onesheetbeing impregnated with one chemical and a portion of the othersheet at the center fold thereof being impregnated with another chemicalsuch that the bringingof the areas together produces a medicinal vapor,said sheets being arranged so that the quarter fold of one sheet extendsalong and in proximity to the quarter fold of the other sheet and thecenter folds are spaced from one another and with the half section ofeach sheet overlying the quarter section of the other sheet.

4. 'A medicated tissue including two rectangular sheets of substantiallythe same size each having a center fold and a quarter fold on one sideof said center fold to form a half section, an inner quarter section andan outer quarter section, a portion of the area at the center fold ofone section being impregnated with one chemical and a portion. of theother sheet at the center fold thereof beingimpregnated with anotherchemical such that the bringing of the areas to'gether produces amedicinal vapor, said sheets being arranged so that the quarter fold ofone sheet extends along and in proximity to the quarter fold of theother sheet and the center folds are spaced from one another and withthe half section of each sheet overlying the quarter section of theother sheet, the overlying marginal portions of the sheets being securedtogether to form outwardly facing tabs which when pulled apart in adirection normal to the planes of the folded sheets bring the centerportions of the sheets together and the impregnations: in reactingposition.

1 5. A medicated tissue inclu'din'gtwo' rectangular sheets of;substantially thesame size each having .a center fold and a quarter foldon one side of said center fold to form a half section, an inner quartersection and an outer quarter section, a portion of the area at thecenter fold of one section being impregnated with one chemical and aportion of the other sheet at the center fold thereof being impregnatedwith another chemical such that the bringing of the areas togetherproduces a medicinal vapor, said sheets being arranged so that thequarter fold of one sheet extends along and in proximity to the quarterfold of the other sheet and the center folds are spaced from one anotherand with the half section of each sheet overlying the quarter section ofthe other sheet, the overlying marginal portions of the sheets beingsecured together, said sheets having additional folds intermediate thequarter folds and the juxtaposed edges of the sheets to form inwardlyfacing tabs which when pulled apart in a direction normal to the planesof the folded sheets bring the center portions of the sheets togetherand the impregnations in reacting position.

6. A medicated tissue comprising a rectangular sheet having a centercrease dividing the sheet in halves and quarter folds parallel with thecenter crease and spaced therefrom, an impregnation of one chemical atone quarter fold and an impregnation of another chemical at the otherquarter fold, said chemicals being such that when brought togetherproduce a vapor, said sheet being normally folded back upon itself alongthe quarter folds, and open at the center crease, said sheet upon beingopened along the quarter folds and folded back upon itself along thecenter crease bringing the two chemicals into reactive position.

7. In combination a flexible foldable porous carrier having two integralparts normally separated from one another and adapted to be broughttogether, one of said parts having an impregnation of one dry chemicaland the other having an impregnation of another dry chemical, saidchemicals being of such characteristics that when brought together inair a medical vapor is product.

8. A medicated tissue including two rectangular sheets of substantiallythe same size each having a center fold and a quarter fold on one sideof said center fold to form a half section, an inner quarter section andan outer quarter section, a portion of the area at the center fold ofone sheet having an impregnation of a chemical selected from the groupcomprising camphor and a homo logue of camphor and a portion of theother sheet at the center fold thereof having an impregnation of achemical selected from the group consisting of menthol, a homologue ofmenthol, thymol and a homologue of thymol, said sheets being normallyarranged so that the quarter fold of one sheet extends along and inproximity to the quarter fold of the other sheet and the center foldsare spaced from one another and with the half section of each sheetoverlying the quarter section of the other sheet.

9. A tissue for use with two different chemicals, each normally inactivein air when spaced from one another, and which When brought together inair react with one another, said tissue comprising a rectangular sheethaving a center crease dividing the sheet in halves and quarter foldsparallel with the center crease and spaced therefrom, said sheet beingnormally folded back upon itself along the quarter folds and open at thecenter crease, said sheet having an area at one quarter fold for animpregnation of one of the chemicals and an area at the other quarterfold for an impregnation of the other chemical, said areas being sodisposed on the sheet that when the sheet is normally folded said areasare spaced from one another and when said sheet is opened along thequarter folds and folded back upon itself along the center crease thetwo areas are brought together.

10. A tissue for use with two different chemicals, each normallyinactive in air when spaced from one another, and which when broughttogether in air react with one another, said tissue comprising tworectangular sheets of substantially the same size each having a centerfold and a quarter fold on one side of said center fold to form a halfsection, an inner quarter section and an outer quarter section, saidsheets being normally arranged so that the quarter fold of one sheetextends along and in proximity to the quarter fold of the other sheetand the center folds are spaced from one another and with the halfsection of each sheet overlying the quarter section of the other sheet,said sheet having an area at one center fold for an impregnation of oneof the chemicals and an area at the other center fold for animpregnation of the other chemical, said areas being so disposed on thesheets that when said sheets are normally folded said areas are spacedfrom one another and when said sheets are opened along the quarter foldsand folded back upon themselves along the center crease the two areasare brought together.

11. A flexible foldable sheet-like carrier for use with two difit'erentchemicals each normally inactive when spaced from one another and whichwhen brought to gether react with one another, a fold in said carrierdividing the same into two parts one of said parts having an area forthe reception of one of said chemicals and the other of said partshaving an area for the reception of the other of said chemicals, saidparts when folded in one manner separating said areas and when folded inanother manner bringing said areas into juxtaposition.

12. A medicated tissue including two parts each normally separated fromone anotherand adapted to be brought together, one of said parts havinga dry impregnation with a member of the group consisting of camphor,thymol and menthol and the other having a dry impregnation of another ofthe members of said group.

13. A medicated tissue including two parts each normally separated fromone another and adapted to be brought together, one of said parts havinga dry impregnation of a chemical selected from the group consisting ofcamphor and a homologue of camphor and the o'ther having a dryimpregnation of a chemical selected from the group consisting of phenolsand corresponding carbocyclic products of varying degrees of saturation.

14. A medicated tissue including two parts each normally separated fromone another and adapted to be brought together, one of said parts havinga dry impregnation of a chemical selected from the group consisting ofcamphor and a homologue of camphor and the other having a dryimpregnation of a chemical selected from the group consisting ofmenthol, a homologue of menthol, thymol and a homologue of thymol.

15. A medicated tissue comprising a rectangular sheet having a centercrease dividing the sheet in halves and quarter folds parallel with thecenter crease and spaced therefrom, an impregnation of one chemical fromthe group comprising camphor and a homologue of camphor at one quarterfold and an impregnation of another chemical from the group comprisingmenthol, a homologue of menthol, thymol and a homologue of thymol at theother quarter fold, said chemicals being such that when brought togetherproduce a vapor, said sheet being normally folded back upon itself alongthe quarter folds, and open at the center crease, said sheet upon beingopened along the quarter folds and folded back upon itself along thecenter crease bringing the two chemicals into reactive position.

16. A medicated tissue including two rectangular sheets of substantiallythe same size each having a center fold and a quarter fold on one sideof said center fold to form a half section, an inner quarter section andan outer quarter section, a portion of the area at the center fold ofone sheet being impregnated with one chemical from the group comprisingcamphor and a homologue of camphor and a portion of the other sheet atthe center fold thereof being impregnated with another chemical from thegroup comprising menthol, a homologue of menthol, thymol and a homologueof thymol such that the bringing of the areas together produces a medicial'rvap r, said heets being ar an ed so t at the q t fold of one sheetextends along and in proximity to the quarter fold, of the other sheetand the center folds are spaced from one another and with the halfsection of each sheet overlying the quarter section of the other sheet.

17. A medicated tissue including two rectangular sheets of substantiallythe same size each having a center fold and a quarter fold on one sideof said center fold ,to form a half section, an inner quarter sectionand an outer quarter section, a portion of the area at the center foldof one section being impregnated with one chemical from the groupcomprising camphor and a homologue of camphor, and a portion of theother sheet at the center fold thereof being impregnated with anotherchemical from the group comprising menthol, a homologue of menthol,thymol and a homologue of thymol, such that the bringing of the areastogether produces a medicinal vapor, said sheets being arranged so thatthe quarter fold of one sheet extends along and in proximity to thequarter fold of the other sheet and the center folds are spaced from oneanother and with the half section of each sheet overlying the quartersection of the other sheet, the overlying marginal portions of thesheets being secured together to form outwardly facing tabs which whenpulled apart in a direction normal to the planes of the folded sheetsbring the center portions'of the sheets together and the impregnationsin reacting position.

18. A medicated tissue including two rectangular sheets of substantiallythe same size each having a center fold and a quarter fold on one sideof said center fold to form a half section, an inner quarter section andan outer quarter section, a portion of the area at the center fold ofonesectionbeing. impregnated with one chemical from th group comprising.camphor and a homologue of camphor, and a portion of the other sheet atthe center fold thereof ibeing impregnated with another chemical from.the: group comprising menthol, a homologue of menthol,

thymol and a homologue of thymol, such that the bringing of the areastogether produces a medicinal vapor, said sheets being arranged so thatthe quarter fold of one sheet extends along and in proximity to thequarter fold of the other sheet and the center folds are spaced from oneanother and with the half section of each sheet overlying the quartersection of the other sheet, the overlying marginal portions of thesheets being se cured together, said sheets having additional foldsintermediate the quarter folds and the juxtaposed edges of the sheets toform inwardly facing tabs which when pulled apart in a direction normalto the planes of the folded sheets bring the center portions of thesheets together and the impregnations in reacting position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 78,112Mariner May 19, 1868 426,933 Grossich Apr. 29, 1890 2,001,046 Welch May14, 1935 2,129,754 Yagoda Sept. 13, 1938 2,167,304 Klog "July 25, 19392,185,954 Ryner Jan. 2, 1940 2,408,345 Shelton et a1. Sept. 24, 19462,598,823 OGrady "Q. June 3 1952' FOREIGN PATENTS 7 720,930 GreatBritain Dec. 29, 1954

1. A MEDICATED FLEXIBLE TISSUE INCLUDING TWO PARTS EACH NORMALLYSEPARATED FROM ONE ANOTHER AND ADAPTED TO BE BROUGHT TOGETHER, ONE OFSAID PARTS HAVING A DRY IMPREGNATION OF ONE CHEMICAL AND THE OTHERHAVING A DRY IMPREGNATION OF ANOTHER CHEMICAL, SAID CHEMICALS BEING OFSUCH CHARACTERISTICS THAT WHEN BROUGHT TOGETHER IN AIR A MEDICAL VAPORIS PRODUCED.